Regis Softball Begins Season with Doubleheader at The Spring Games

CLERMONT, Fla. — The Regis College softball team opened its season in the Sunshine State on Sunday with a doubleheader to begin play at The Spring Games. The Pride dropped a 9-1 decision to Buena Vista in a five-inning contest before falling 10-1 in five innings to fellow Boston-area foe Suffolk University.

Regis vs. Buena Vista

The Beavers used a strong opening inning fueled by five hits, scoring five runs during a stretch of three consecutive at-bats. They looked poised to keep the rally going, but third baseman Kristen Galvin quick reflexes changed the momentum. Galvin snagged what could have been a base hit and another run, ending the inning and giving the Pride a much-needed breather.

In the third inning, Sydney Grund gave the Pride some life with a double to left-center, but she would be stranded on base as Paige Mahler retired the next batter to keep the Pride off the scoreboard.

Heading into the fifth inning trailing 9–0, the sophomore class looked to spark the Pride offense. Gabby Blanchard hit a hard ground ball up the middle, but a diving shortstop limited the damage and held Blanchard at first. Michaela Edwards then entered as a pinch runner. One batter later, Grund found the gap on the right side, bringing Edwards home and reaching third for the season's first extra-base hit for the Pride. However, Mahler once again shut down the rally, striking out the next batter and ending the game in her team's favor, 9-1, after five innings.

Regis vs. Suffolk

Gabby Blanchard made quick work of her first two batters faced before Jolie Quintana connected on a pitch and sent it over the left-field fence to put the Rams on the board first. Two batters later, Grace Motto calmly fielded a play and recorded the out at second to send the game to the home half of the inning. There, Lynsey Kay recorded her first hit of the season but was left stranded as Cynthia Rucinski retired the next batter.

A double that plated two runs highlighted a three-run inning for the Rams. On the other side, Sydney Grund made solid contact with a single to right field and then stole second to move herself into scoring position. An Avery Simpson single moved Grund over before a fielder's choice brought her home for the Pride's first run, cutting the deficit to 4-1.

However, the Rams responded with back-to-back three-run innings to pull away and secure the eventual five-inning 10-1 victory.

Inside the Numbers

• Sydney Grund's triple in the top of the fifth inning marked the first of the sophomore's career. On the day, the sophomore collected three hits and scored one run.
• Avery Simpson made her collegiate debut for the Crimson and Gold behind the plate in game one and recorded her first career hit in game two.
• Sydeny Grund and Lynsey Kay recorded the two RBIs on the day for the Pride.

Up Next

The Pride return to the field tomorrow with games against Rhode Island College (RIC) and Penn State–New Kensington at 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., respectively.